Nigerian Aviation Industry Adopts New Flight Regime

September 26, 2008

Nigerian aviation industry adopts new flight regime

LAGOS, Sept. 25 (Xinhua)– Nigeria aviation industry on Wednesday joined the rest of the world towards making the nation’s airspace safer as it switched over to the Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) system, reported the Lagos-based Guardian newspaper on Thursday.

The RVSM in aviation world describes the reduction of the standard vertical separation required between aircraft flying at levels from 2,000 feet to 1,000 feet, in order to increase the number of aircraft that can safely fly in a particular airspace.

It enhances safety, improves flight time and reduces fuel consumption.

All regions of the world have safely implemented the RVSM concept since 2005, except the Africa/Indian Ocean Region, which changed over to the system only on Wednesday.

Harold Demuren, director general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, said the airlines and pilots operating in the country have been trained on the RVSM system.

“What it means is that we are going to have many safe flights in high altitude. To do that, the aircraft must be airworthy and have certain equipment on board. If you don’t have the equipment, you will only be able to fly at low altitude, burning more fuel in the process,” he said.

He said the RVSM would engender better service in the sector and decongest the airspace.